Understanding Panic Disorder

Half-day workshop

Most of us will have a panic attack at some point in our lives. It is a sudden rush of anxiety that seems to come out of the blue and is characterised by many body sensations, such as feeling dizzy, heart racing, feeling hot or feeling nauseous. Understandably people usually feel scared during a panic attack and fear that something terrible is going to happen, such as they might pass out, lose control or even have a heart attack and die.

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where people have recurrent panic attacks. Individuals with panic disorder typically change the things they do and the places they go as their main fear is having further panic attacks. While people with other anxiety disorders may experience panic attacks, for example someone with social anxiety might have a panic attack when having to give a presentation, this is not the same as panic disorder because the individual is more likely to fear the social situation itself rather than the panic attack, although they will undoubtedly find it unpleasant.

This workshop aims to explore and understand what panic disorder is in more depth and the different forms it may take. We will then discuss a range of coping methods and strategies that people might find useful and in particular what cognitive behavioural treatments are available and how they can help.

The course has been designed in collaboration with staff from the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (CADAT) and people who have used their services.